South Dakota Senators are sending a bill to prohibit the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects to Governor Larry Rhoden’s desk.
The bill is in response to liquified carbon pipeline projects wanting to cross the state.
It’s an issue that’s remade the South Dakota state legislature. Voters rejected a law regulating the projects in the last election.
Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, sponsored the proposal and said it's the people’s bill.
“They had to devote their time, their energy. It was physical and mental stress. All of these things that we brought on the people that we shouldn’t have had to walk through," Lems said. "But, since we’re here and we’ve gotten this far, now is the time to do what’s right for South Dakota and sign House Bill 1052.”
Critics say the law sets a terrible precedent—that the state legislature can knock the legs out of any project businesses might propose.
Senators passed the bill 23 to 12.
Gov. Larry Rhoden has not indicated whether he supports the idea.
